Timeline system for monitoring a culture media protocol

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for providing a timeline representing a culture media protocol for a culture medium. Providing a timeline representing a culture media protocol can include receiving the culture media protocol for the culture media generating the timeline on a user interface based on the culture media protocol, monitoring time on the timeline, receiving one or more culture media images related to the culture media protocol, associating each of the one or more culture media images with a position on the timeline that correlates to a time at which the culture media image was captured, and generating a selectable marker for each culture media image associated with the timeline, the selectable marker being aligned with the position on the timeline that correlates to the time at which the culture media image was captured.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/348,841, filed May 9, 2019, which is a U.S.National Phase Application of PCT International App. No.PCT/US2017/060928, filed Nov. 9, 2017, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Appl. No. 62/420,466 filed on Nov. 10, 2016, each of whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

This invention relates to culture media analysis, and more particularlyto software for presenting and reviewing culture media information.

Description of the Related Art

Methods and systems for capturing an image of a culture media anddisplaying the image on a display are known. Such systems and methodsare described, for example, WO2013/147610 to Botma et al., thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the invention include systems, devices, and methods forpresenting and manipulating data elements for a cell culture mediaprotocol for a culture media using a timeline presented on a userinterface.

One embodiment is a system for providing a timeline representing aculture media protocol for culture media. The system includes a computersystem. The computer system includes a user interface configured todisplay the timeline and a field for optional display of a culture mediaimage and a processor. The processor is configured to receive theculture media protocol for the culture media, generate the timeline onthe user interface based on the culture media protocol, monitor time onthe timeline, receive one or more culture media images related to theculture media protocol, associate each of the one or more culture mediaimages with a position on the timeline that correlates to a time atwhich the culture media image was captured, and generate and display aselectable marker for each culture media image associated with thetimeline, the selectable marker being aligned with the position on thetimeline that correlates to the time at which the culture media imagewas captured.

Another embodiment is a method for providing a timeline representing aculture media protocol for a culture media. The method includesreceiving the culture media protocol for the culture media, generatingthe timeline on a user interface based on the culture media protocol,monitoring time on the timeline, receiving one or more culture mediaimages related to the culture media protocol, associating each of theone or more culture media images with a position on the timeline thatcorrelates to a time at which the culture media image was captured, andgenerating a selectable marker for each culture media image associatedwith the timeline, the selectable marker being aligned with the positionon the timeline that correlates to the time at which the culture mediaimage was captured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of a timeline control system inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of an embodiment of providing a timelinecontrol system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of an embodiment of capturing and processinga culture media image in accordance with an illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of an embodiment of providing an indicationof which culture media image is displayed on a timeline in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of an embodiment of generating a video of aculture media in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a timeline in accordance with anillustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts an alternate embodiment of a timeline in accordance withan illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a timeline on a timeline display screenin accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of a timeline on a timeline display screenin accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of a timeline on a timeline display screenin accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 depicts an embodiment of a timeline on a timeline display screenin accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment of a timeline on a timeline display screenin accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 depicts an embodiment of a timeline on a timeline display screenin accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, there are numerousways of carrying out the examples, improvements, and arrangements fortimeline control in accordance with embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein. Although reference will be made to the illustrativeembodiments depicted in the drawings and the following description,these embodiments are not meant to be exhaustive of the variousalternative designs and embodiments that are encompassed by thedisclosed invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat various modifications may be made, and various combinations can bemade, without departing from the invention.

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for presenting andmanipulating data elements for a cell culture media protocol for aculture media using a timeline presented on a user interface. In oneembodiment, the system generates a timeline on a user interface based ona culture media protocol for a particular culture media. Duringimplementation of the culture media protocol, the timeline can beupdated continuously or semi-continuously to reflect the passage of timethroughout the protocol and the occurrence of protocol related events,such as the capture of an image of the culture media. The system maygenerate markers on the timeline that represent protocol related eventsthat are expected to occur during the implementation of the protocoland/or protocol events that do occur during implementation of theprotocol. The user interface allows the markers to be selected by a userand in response to the selection of a marker provides further datarelating to that marker.

In one embodiment, the system captures a plurality of culture mediaimages throughout the culture protocol. Each culture media image isassociated with a position on the timeline that represents the time atwhich the culture media image was captured. A marker can be generatedfor each culture media image at the position on the timeline thatrepresents the time at which the culture media image was captured. Theuser interface can allow for selection of one of the markers to causethe user interface to display the associated culture media image. Insome embodiments, image processing software analyzes each culture mediaimage associated with the culture media protocol and aligns the culturemedia images so that each image is presented in the same orientationwhen the marker associated with that image is selected. This featureallows a user to navigate between culture media images to monitor growthon the culture media.

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of an illustrative embodiment of atimeline control system 100. The timeline control system 100 includes aculture reading system 110 and an incubation system 120.

The incubation system 120 includes an incubator 122 and an imagingdevice 124. The incubator 122 can be configured to house and incubateone or more culture media containing microorganisms and growth media forculturing the growth of the microorganisms. The culture media can beculture plates, such as petri dishes. The imaging device 124 can beconfigured to capture and store images of the culture media housedwithin the incubator 122. In some embodiments, the incubation system 120is a ReadA Compact incubator.

The incubation system 120 can be configured to communicate with theculture reading system 110 via wired or wireless communication, cellcommunication, Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, LAN, WLAN, RF, IR, or any othercommunication method or system known in the art. For example, theincubation system 120 can be configured to transmit images of cultureplates housed within the incubator 122 to the culture reading system110.

The culture reading system 110 includes a processor 102, a memory 104,an input 106, a display 108, and a clock or timer 114. The memory 104,which can include both read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory(RAM), can be configured to provide instructions and data to theprocessor 102. For example, the memory 104 can store one or more modulesthat store data values defining instructions to configure processor 102to perform functions of the culture reading system 110. As shown in FIG.1, the memory 104 includes a timeline control module 112 that includesinstructions that configure the processor 102 to perform timelinecontrol functions as described herein. The memory 104 can also beconfigured to store images of culture media received from the incubationsystem 120.

The display 108 can be configured to display data from the memory 104and data received from the input 106. The input 106 can include one ormore devices that allow a user to input data into the culture readingsystem 110. For example, the input 106 can include a keyboard, a mouse,and/or a touch screen in connection with the display 108. The input 106and display 108 can operate to form a user interface presented on thedisplay 108. The user interface can include one or more interactivedisplay screens which provide culture media data to a user and allow fordata selection and manipulation.

In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the culturereading system 110 can be configured to display an interactive timelinedisplay screen on the display 108. The timeline display screen canfacilitate presentation and manipulation of data elements for a culturemedia protocol associated with a culture media based on instructionsstored within the timeline control module 112. In some embodiments, thetimeline display screen can be displayed in response to a timelineinitiation event, such as a command from a user via the input 106.

In some embodiments, the timeline control module 112 is configured tocause the culture reading system 110 to provide a timeline within thetimeline display screen representing events of a predetermined culturemedia protocol for a culture media. The timeline can provide a relativetimescale for the culture media protocol in which the expected durationof time for the culture media protocol is correlated to the length ofthe timeline and each point on the timeline is representative of aparticular time within the culture media protocol. The timeline caninclude one or more markers that represent events of the culture mediaprotocol. In some embodiments, markers are provided to represent eventsthat are expected to occur within the culture media protocol but havenot yet occurred. Such a marker can be aligned with a position on thetimeline that correlates to the time within the culture media protocolat which the event is expected to occur. The timeline can also beupdated during the culture media protocol or after completion of theculture media protocol to include markers representing events of theculture media protocol that have occurred. Such a marker can be alignedwith a position on the timeline that correlates to the time within theculture media protocol at which the event occurred. Representativeevents of a culture media protocol can include, for example, the startof the culture media protocol, the end of a culture media protocol, thecapturing of an image of the culture media, removal of the culture mediafrom the incubator 122 or incubation system 120, placement of theculture media into the incubator 122 or incubation system 120, and thecollection or processing of data related to the culture media, such as,for example, the processing of an image of the culture media by adigital image analysis algorithm. In some embodiments, a marker can bealigned with a position on the timeline that correlates to an interimresult provided by a data processing algorithm, such as a digital imageanalysis algorithm. In some embodiments, a marker can be aligned with aposition on the timeline that correlates to a final result provided by adata processing algorithm, such as a digital image analysis algorithm.

The timeline display screen can provide a variety information relatingto the timing of culture media protocol events. For example, thetimeline display screen can provide: the date and/or time of an event ofthe culture media protocol, the date and/or time of an expected event ofthe culture media protocol, a relative time difference between an eventof the culture media protocol and a current time, an indication that anevent of the culture media protocol has not been performed, a dateand/or time at which the culture media protocol started, a date and/ortime at which the culture media protocol is expected to start, a dateand/or time at which the culture media protocol ended, a date and/ortime at which the culture media protocol is expected to end, a relativetime difference between the start of the culture media protocol and acurrent time, and a relative time difference between the current timeand the time at which the culture media protocol is expected to end.

As described herein, a representative culture media protocol event caninclude the capture of an image of the culture media undergoing theculture media protocol. The timeline display screen can be configured todisplay one or more culture media images captured as part of the cultureprotocol. The culture media images can be retrieved from the memory 104,received from the incubation system 120, and/or received from anotherexternal device. In some embodiments, the timeline display screen canalso be configured to provide additional information related to culturemedia images captured as part of the culture media protocol or expectedto be captured as part of the culture media protocol. For example, inaddition to the timing information for culture media protocol events,the timeline display screen can provide an indication of which culturemedia image is currently being displayed on the timeline display screenwhen multiple culture media images have been captured, the number ofculture media images that have been captured as of the current timewithin the culture media protocol, and if a culture media image has notbeen captured as of the current time within the culture media protocol.

In some embodiments, the timeline display screen can allow for theselection and/or manipulation of data presented on the timeline displayscreen, for example, via the input 106. In some embodiments, a markercan be associated with a link that when selected, provides furtherinformation about an event of the culture media protocol represented bythat marker. For example, a marker representing the capture of a cultureplate image can be linked to the corresponding culture plate image. Amarker representing a result of a data processing algorithm, such as animage analysis algorithm, can be linked to a corresponding result of thealgorithm. In some embodiments, the marker can be selected to retrieve acorresponding image of the culture media from the memory 104 and todisplay the corresponding image on the timeline display screen on thedisplay 108.

In some embodiments, the timeline display screen can allow formodifications to the culture media protocol, for example, via the input106. The timeline display screen can include one or more selectableoptions that when selected can cause the culture reading system tomodify the culture media protocol. For example, in some embodiments, thetimeline display screen can include an option that when selected causesan additional culture media image to be captured. In some embodiments,the timeline display screen can include an option that when selectedcauses the termination of the culture media protocol. In someembodiments, the timeline display screen can include an option that whenselected causes the culture media protocol to extend. In someembodiments, an amount of time for extension of the culture mediaprotocol can be input into the timeline display screen.

The timeline display screen can also be configured to displayindications of modifications to the culture media protocol. For example,the timeline display screen can be configured to provide an indicationthat culture media has been physically discarded, an indication that theculture media protocol has been terminated, and/or an indication thatthe culture media protocol has been extended.

In some embodiments, a timeline generated by culture reading system 110can conform to a predetermined width. The timeline can provide arelative timescale between events of the culture media protocol. Inother words, the physical distance between markers representing eventson the timeline is correlated to the length of time between the eventsrepresented by the indicators.

In some embodiments, the timeline control module 112 is configured tocause the culture reading system 110 to update the timeline in real timeor near real time. For example, in some embodiments, the culture readingsystem 110 can provide a visual indication of the time elapsed from thebeginning of the culture media protocol to the current time. The visualindication can be a change in the appearance of the timeline over thelength of the timeline that correlates to the period of time between thestart of the culture media protocol and the current time. The timelinecan be updated to in real time or near real time to change theappearance of the timeline to indicate the passage of time from thebeginning of the culture media protocol. The culture reading system 110can also update the timeline in response to receiving data related to anevent of the culture media protocol, for example, in response toreceiving a culture media image, removal of the culture media from theincubator 122 or incubation system 120, placement of the culture mediainto the incubator 122 or incubation system 120, or the collection orprocessing of data related to the culture media. In response to receiptof a culture media image, the timeline control module 112 can beconfigured to cause the culture reading system 110 to associate theculture media image with a position on the timeline representative ofthe time of the capture of the culture media image. The culture readingsystem can also be configured to generate a marker on the timelineassociated with the culture media image. In some embodiments, theculture reading system can be configured to generate a marker on thetimeline associate with one or more of removal of the culture media fromthe incubator 122 or incubation system 120, placement of the culturemedia into the incubator 122 or incubation system 120, and thecollection or processing of data related to the culture media.

In some embodiments, the culture reading system 110 can provide a visualindication of the time elapsed between two events of the culture mediaprotocol or the time elapsed after an event of the culture mediaprotocol has occurred. For example, in some embodiments, the visualindication can be a change in the appearance of the timeline over thelength of the timeline that correlates to the period of time between theplacement of the culture media in the incubator 122 or incubation system120 and the removal of the culture media from the incubator 122 orincubation system 120. In some embodiments, the visual indication can bea change in the appearance of the timeline over the length of thetimeline that correlates to the period of time between the removal ofthe culture media from the incubator 122 or incubation system 120 andthe placement of the culture media in the incubator 122 or incubationsystem 120. In some embodiments, the visual indication can be a changein the appearance of the timeline over the length of the timeline thatcorrelates to the period of time after removal of the culture media fromthe incubator 122 or incubation system 120. In some embodiments, thevisual indication can be a change in the appearance of the timeline overthe length of the timeline that correlates to the period of time afterplacement of the culture media in the incubator 122 or incubation system120.

In some embodiments, the timeline control module 112 can be configuredto cause the culture reading system 110 to align the culture mediaimages associated with a culture media protocol such that the culturemedia is shown in the same orientation in each image. The culturereading system 110 can be configured to determine the orientation ofeach image using image processing software, for example, to detect andanalyze indicators on the culture media. The culture reading system 100can then orient each image so that the indicators on the culture mediaare presented in the same location on each image. For example, forculture media protocols including culture plates having a divider, theculture reading system 110 can be configured to orient the culture mediaimages such that the media on each side of the divider is shown on thesame side of each culture media image.

The clock 114 can allow for dates and/or times to be associated with theevents of the culture media protocol. For example, the clock can beconfigured to associate a date and/or time with a culture media image.In some embodiments, the imaging device 124 can be configured to recordthe date and/or time at which the image was captured and to provide thatdate and to provide the date and/or time to the culture reading system110. The clock 114 can also allow for determinations of durations oftime between events of the culture media protocol and/or the currenttime within the culture media protocol.

The timeline control module 112 can also be configured to cause theculture reading system 110 to initiate an animation mode. In theanimation mode, a video or animation is generated from a series ofcaptured images that shows any culture media images captured during theculture media protocol in chronological order. The video or animationcan provide a time-lapse progression of bacterial growth on the culturemedia.

In some embodiments, a timeline display screen can display multipletimelines, each timeline representing a different culture mediaprotocol. A timeline display screen can also display multiple culturemedia images related to the same culture media protocol.

FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a process 200 of an illustrativeembodiment of a method for providing a timeline control system using aculture reading system such as reading system 110. The process 200begins at a step 210, wherein a culture media protocol is received for aculture media. A culture media protocol can include an intended lengthof time of the culture media protocol, an intended number of culturemedia images to be captured during the protocol, a date and/or time atwhich each culture media image is intended to be captured, anidentification of one or more organisms on the culture media, and anidentification of one or more media types on the culture plate. Theculture media protocol can be received via an input, such as input 106,as an entry or selection from a user. The culture media protocol canalso be received from a database or memory, such as the memory 104. Aculture media protocol may be a custom protocol or a protocol retrievedfrom a list of common protocols or previously received protocols.

After the culture media protocol is received, the process 200 moves to astep 220 wherein a timeline is generated. The timeline can be generatedby a processor, such as processor 102, running a software application.The timeline can include information related to the culture mediaprotocol. For example, the timeline can include an expected start time,an expected end time, a time or times at which one or more images areexpected to be captured in accordance with the culture media protocol,and/or a time or times at which any other culture media protocol eventsare expected to occur. In some embodiments, culture media protocolevents can include removal of the culture media from an incubator orincubation system, placement of the culture media into the incubator orincubation system, and the collection or processing of data related tothe culture media, such as, for example, the processing of an image ofthe culture media by a digital image analysis algorithm. The expecteddate and/or time of one or more protocol events, such as the capturingof an image of the culture media, can be indicated on the timeline usinga marker. The markers can be positioned on the timeline in accordancewith a relative timescale such that the physical distance betweenmarkers on the timeline is representative of the length of time betweenthe events represented by the markers.

After the timeline is generated, the process 200 moves to a step 230,wherein the incubation time of the plate begins to be monitored on thetimeline. Time can be monitored on the timeline using a clock or timer,such as clock 114. For example, a processor, such as processor 102,running a software application can receive time data from the clock anduse the time data to monitor time on the timeline. As time is monitored,the culture reading system can be configured to update the visualtimeline in real time or near real time to indicate the amount of timeelapsed from the start time of the protocol. In some embodiments, agraphical or numerical indication is provided showing an amount of timeelapsed since the beginning of the protocol. In some embodiments, agraphical or numerical indication is provided to indicate the expectedamount of time remaining in the protocol. In some embodiments, agraphical or numerical indication can be provided to indicate anexpected amount of time remaining until a next event in the protocol. Insome embodiments, a graphical or numerical indication can be providedindicating an amount of time since a previous event in the protocol. Insome embodiments, the appearance of the timeline is configured to changeto indicate the amount of time elapsed from the start of the culturemedia protocol. For example, a section of the timeline representing thetime period between the start time of the culture media protocol and thecurrent time within the culture media protocol can be indicated using adifferent color and/or size than the rest of the timeline. In someembodiments, the appearance of the timeline is configured to change toindicate the amount of time elapsed between events of the culture mediaprotocol or the amount of time elapsed after an event of the culturemedia protocol has occurred.

After time starts to be monitored, the process 200 moves to a processstep 240, wherein a culture media image is captured and processed. Aprocessed culture media image can be associated with a marker added tothe timeline as explained with respect to FIG. 3.

After the culture media image is captured and processed, the process 200moves to a decision step 250, wherein a decision is made whether culturemedia images are finished being captured in accordance with the culturemedia protocol. A processor, such as processor 102, running a softwareapplication can determine that culture media images are done beingcaptured when no more images are scheduled as part of the culture mediaprotocol. Culture media images can be scheduled in the initial receivedprotocol or added at a later time, for example, via a user input. If aculture media image is added after the initial generation of thetimeline, the timeline can be modified to include a marker representingthe expected time at which the image will be captured. If images are notfinished being captured, the process 200 returns to step 240.

If images are finished being captured, the process 200 moves to adecision step 260, wherein a decision is made whether the culturereading system is finished tracking time. The culture reading system canbe finished tracking time when the estimated end time of the culturemedia protocol is reached. In some embodiments, the end time of theprotocol can be modified in response to one or more events. A culturemedia protocol may be terminated early, for example, in response to aninput by a user or an error. A culture media protocol may also beextended, for example, in response to an input by a user. The timelinecan be modified to add an additional length of the timelinerepresentative of the amount of time for which the protocol is to beextended. In some embodiments, the timeline does not change in length,but instead the scale of the timeline is adjusted to correspond to theadjusted total length of the time represented by the timeline. Theculture media protocol may be extended at any time throughout theprocess 200. The culture reading system can be configured to determineif an end time of the protocol is modified and can stop tracking time atthe modified end time. A processor, such as processor 102, can beconfigured to determine that the culture system is finished trackingtime. If it is determined that the culture reading system is notfinished tracking time, the process 200 returns to step 250. If it isdetermined that time is finished being tracked, the process 200concludes at an end step.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of an illustrative embodiment of the process240 for capturing and processing a culture media image. The processbegins at a step 310 wherein the culture media image is captured. Theculture media image can be captured by an imaging device, such asimaging device 124. In some embodiments, the culture reading system isconfigured to cause the culture media image to be captured at theestimated time for capture of the culture media image as provided by theculture media protocol received in step 210 of the process 200. Aprocessor, such as processor 102, running a software application cancause the culture reading system to provide instructions to the imagingdevice to capture an image at the estimated time. The culture readingsystem can also provide instructions to the imaging device to transmitthe captured image to the culture reading system for further processing.In some embodiments, the imaging device can capture an image in responseto an instruction from a processor running a software programindependent of the estimated time for capturing an image. In someembodiments, the scheduled time for capturing an image can be modifiedby the user. In some embodiments, a user can provide an instruction foran image of the culture media to be captured at any time during theculture media protocol. In some embodiments, a user can manually capturean image using the imaging device.

After the culture media image is captured, the process 240 moves to astep 320, wherein the culture media image is associated with a positionon the timeline representative of the time at which the culture mediaimage was captured. In some embodiments, the imaging device isconfigured to record the date and time at which the culture media imageis captured and to transmit the date and time to the culture readingsystem. In some embodiments, a processor, such as processor 102, runninga software application in conjunction with a clock or timer, such asclock 114, can correlate the date and time at which the image wascaptured with a position representing that time on the timeline. In someembodiments, each point on the timeline can be assigned a date and/orupon generation of the timeline in accordance with the start time of theculture media protocol and the expected duration of the culture mediaprotocol. An image taken at a particular date and/or time can becorrelated with a corresponding date and/or time as assigned to a pointon the timeline. Alternatively, the culture reading system can beconfigured to determine a difference in time between the start time ofthe culture media protocol and the time at which the culture media imagewas captured. The culture reading system can then determine a physicallength of the timeline starting at the beginning of the timeline thatcorresponds to the difference in time between the start of the culturemedia protocol and the time at which the culture image was captured andcan associate the image with an end point of the determined physicallength of the timeline.

After the image is associated with a position on the timeline, theprocess 240 moves to a step 330, wherein a marker associated with theimage is generated on the timeline. A processor, such as processor 102,running a software application can cause culture reading system togenerate the marker. The marker can be aligned with the position on thetimeline that is associated with the captured image. In someembodiments, the marker can provide a link to the captured image. Forexample, in response to a selection of the marker on the timelinedisplay screen, the associated image can be displayed.

After the image is associated with an indicator on the timeline, theprocess 240 moves to a step 340, wherein the image is aligned with anypreviously captured images of the culture media. The culture media imagecan be aligned by a processor, such as processor 102, running imageprocessing software. The culture reading system can be configured todetermine the orientation of each image using image processing software,for example, to detect and analyze reference points on the cultureplate. The culture reading system can then orient each image so that anyreference points on the culture plate are presented in the same locationon each image, for example, by rotating the culture media image toconform to the alignment of the previously captured culture mediaimages. After the culture plate image is aligned, the process 240concludes.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a process 400 of an illustrativeembodiment of a method for displaying a culture media image on atimeline display screen. The process 400 begins at step 410, wherein aselection of a marker on a timeline associated with a culture mediaimage is received. The selection can be received, for example, from aninput, such as input 106, operated by a user.

After the marker selection is received, the process 400 moves to a step420, wherein the image associated with the marker is displayed on thetimeline display screen of a display, such as display 108. In someembodiments, the associated image may be displayed on a separate screenof a user interface.

After the culture media image is displayed, the process can move to astep 430, wherein an indication can be provided on the timeline of whichimage is being displayed. For example, the appearance of the markerassociated with the image can be modified to distinguish from themarkers associated with other culture media images. After an indicationis provided as to which image is being displayed, the process concludes.

FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of a process 500 of an illustrativeembodiment of a method for providing a video of a culture media protocolassociated with a timeline using a culture reading system such asculture reading system 110. The process 500 beings at a step 510,wherein an animation mode is initiated. The animation mode can be a partof a timeline display screen on the user interface of the culturereading system or can be displayed on a separate display screen. Theanimation mode can be initiated, for example, in response to receiving aselection on the timeline display screen. In some embodiments, aselection can be made using an input, such as input 106.

After animation mode is initiated, the process 500 moves to a step 520,wherein culture media images associated with the timeline associatedwith the culture media protocol are retrieved. The culture media imagescan be retrieved from a memory, such as memory 104, or from an imagingdevice, such as imaging device 124.

After the images associated with the timeline are retrieved, the process500 moves to a step 530, wherein time data for each image is retrieved.The time data can be retrieved from a memory, such as memory 104, orfrom the imaging device.

After the time data for each image is retrieved, the process 500 movesto a step 540, wherein a video or animation is generated. The video caninclude each of the images associated with the timeline. In someembodiments, the images can be included in the video based on the timedata associated with each image. For example, in some embodiments, thevideo can include each image in chronological order. The video canprovide a time-lapse progression of bacterial growth on the culturemedia.

In some embodiments, the video or animation may be generated by anexternal image processor service, which can receive data from theculture reading system, generate the video or animation, and transmitthe generated video or animation back to the culture reading system. Insome embodiments, an external video processor service can generate avideo in response to a user command, using a process similar to thatdescribed with respect to FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, a video or animation may be generated each time animage is captured, either by including each image associated with thetimeline into a new video or by adding the most recent image to apreviously generated video. The video or animation generated each timean image is captured may be stored on the culture reading system or, inembodiments in which an external video processor service generators theanimation or video, stored on the external video processor service. Thevideo or animation can be accessed on the culture reading system ortransmitted from the external video processor service to the culturereading system in response to a command from a user.

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a timeline 600 representing a culturemedia protocol and related data. The timeline 600 can be displayed on atimeline display screen. The timeline 600 includes a line 604. The line604 provides a relative timescale in which the expected length of timefrom the beginning of the culture media protocol to the end of theculture media protocol is proportionately correlated to the physicallength of the line 604, such that distances between points on the lineare proportional to lengths of time between the times represented bythose points. The timeline 600 includes a field 603 in which the dateand time at which the culture media protocol was initiated is displayed.The timeline 600 also shows one or more markers representing times atwhich a culture media image is expected to be captured in accordancewith the culture media protocol, including a marker 605. As demonstratedby marker 605, the markers representing times at which a culture mediaimage is expected to be captured can be a circle or other shapepositioned on the line 604. The markers representing times at which aculture media image is expected to be captured can also include anumerical indication of a length of time from the beginning of theprotocol at which an image is expected to be taken. As shown in FIG. 6,expected times for images to be captured include 24 hours, 48 hours, and72 hours. The timeline 600 also includes one or more markers indicatingtimes at which culture media images were captured, including markers 606and 607. Each of the markers representing a time at which a culturemedia image was captured can be positioned beneath the timeline inalignment with a position on the timeline representative of the time atwhich the culture media image was captured.

In some embodiments, a marker representing a time at which a culturemedia image was captured, such as markers 606 and 607, can be configuredto provide a link to the associated culture media image. For example,the associated culture media image can be displayed in response to theselection of the marker representing the time at which the culture mediaimage was captured, for example, via an input such as input 106. Thetimeline 600 can also provide a visual indication on the timeline ofwhich culture media image is currently being displayed, for example, bymodifying the appearance of the marker associated with the culture mediaimage being displayed. Although the associated culture media image isnot shown in FIG. 6, the timeline 600 is shown in a configurationindicating that the culture media image associated with marker 607 isbeing displayed. As demonstrated in FIG. 6, the marker 607 has adifferent appearance than the other markers representing times at whichculture media images were captured. For example, the color of the marker607 is different than the other markers. A circular border is also shownaround the marker 607 to indicate that the culture media imageassociated with marker 607 is being displayed.

The timeline 600 also includes a field 601 in which the date and time inwhich the displayed image was captured is displayed. The timeline 600also includes a field 602 in which the relative time between the time atwhich the displayed image was taken and the current time is displayed.In some embodiments, the field 602 can provide the relative time betweentime at which the most recent image was captured and the current time,for example, when no image is currently being displayed.

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a timeline 700 representing a culturemedia protocol and related data. The timeline 700 can be displayed on atimeline display screen. The timeline 700 includes a line 704. The line704 provides a relative timescale in which the expected length of timefrom the beginning of the culture media protocol to the end of theculture media protocol is proportionately correlated to the physicallength of the line 704, such that distances between points on the lineare proportional to lengths of time between the times represented bythose points. The timeline 700 also shows one or more markersrepresenting times at which a culture media image is expected to becaptured in accordance with the culture media protocol, including amarker 705. As demonstrated by marker 705, the markers representingtimes at which a culture media image is expected to be captured can be acircle or other shape positioned on the line 704. The timeline 700 alsoincludes a field 702 in which the relative time between the time atwhich the most recent image was captured and the current time isdisplayed. In some embodiments, the field 702 can provide the relativetime between the time at which a displayed image was captured and thecurrent time. The timeline 700 also includes a visual indication 708 onthe line 704 of the amount of time elapsed since the initiation of theprotocol. Accordingly, the visual indication 708 also indicates thecurrent time within the culture media protocol. As shown in FIG. 7, thevisual indication 708 can be a change in color and/or width of the line704 from the start of the line 704 to the position on the timelineassociated with the current time. In some embodiments, the visualindication 708 can include a change in the size and/or shape of the line704. The timeline 700 can also include a visual indicator 709 indicatingthat the culture media has been discarded and/or that the culture mediaprotocol has been terminated. As shown in FIG. 7, the indicator 709 isin the shape of a trash bin or other graphical indicia. In FIG. 7, theindicator 709 is shown beyond the end point of the timeline. However, insome embodiments, the indicator 709 can be positioned in alignment witha position on the timeline representative of the time at which the mediawas discarded or the protocol terminated.

The timeline 700 further includes a visual indicator 712 that indicatesa number of images actually captured by an image device of the culturemedia. In some embodiments, the indicator 712 can be selectable in orderto display the associated images of the culture media, or to display adifferent display screen on the user interface that allows fornavigation between and/or selection of one of the culture media imagesindicated by the indicator 712. In some embodiments a display screendisplaying the timeline 700 can allow for navigation to a second displayscreen having a timeline with alternative or more detailed information,such as, for example, the timeline 600 of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 8-10 each show an example of an embodiment of a timeline displayscreen. The timeline display screens shown in FIGS. 8-10 are each in adifferent stage of a culture media protocol.

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a timeline display screen having atimeline 800 representing a culture media protocol and related data at astage in the culture media protocol in which no images have beencaptured. The timeline 800 includes a line 804. The line 804 provides arelative timescale in which the expected length of time from thebeginning of the culture media protocol to the end of the culture mediaprotocol is proportionately correlated to the physical length of theline 804, such that distances between points on the line areproportional to lengths of time between the times represented by thosepoints. The timeline 800 also shows one or more markers representingtimes at which a culture media image is expected to be captured inaccordance with the culture media protocol, including the marker 805. Asdemonstrated by marker 805, the markers representing times at which aculture media image is expected to be captured can be a circle or othershape positioned on the line 804. The timeline display screen alsoincludes a culture media image field 814. The culture media image field814 can be configured to display a culture media image captured duringthe culture media protocol. In some embodiments, the culture media imagefield 814 can be configured to display the most recent culture mediaimage captured during the protocol. In the timeline of FIG. 8, a graphicindicator 816 is displayed in the culture media image field 814 toindicate that no culture media image is available. The indicator 816includes a symbol with a slash running diagonally through it. Thetimeline 800 also includes a field 802 in which the relative timebetween the time at which the most recent image was captured and thecurrent time is displayed. Since no image has been taken in the exampleof FIG. 8, the indicator 802 provides a textual indication that no imageis available.

The timeline 800 also includes a visual indication 808 on the line 804of the amount of time elapsed since the initiation of the protocol.Accordingly, the visual indication 808 also indicates the current timewithin the culture media protocol. As shown in FIG. 8, the visualindication 808 can be a change in color and/or width of the line 804from the start of the line 804 to the position on the timelineassociated with the current time. The timeline 800 further includes avisual indicator 812 that indicates a number of images actually capturedby an image device of the culture media. Since no images have beencaptured in the example of FIG. 8, the indicator 812 indicates that 0images have been captured.

The timeline 800 also includes graphical indicia representing an imagecapture button 818, a media transport button 819, and a terminationbutton 820. The image capture button 818 can be selected to cause theculture reading system to instruct the imaging device to capture animage at the current time. In some embodiments, automated equipment,such as an automated track system, can be provided to move culture mediato various locations within a laboratory setting. The media transportbutton 819 can be configured to cause the removal of the culture mediaassociated with the media protocol from the incubator instrument and thedelivery to a particular location on the incubator instrument ordestination at an associated workbench. The termination button 820 canbe selected to cause the culture media reading system to terminate theprotocol. When the protocol is terminated, the culture reading systemcan instruct the imaging device to stop capturing images. In someembodiments, when the protocol is terminated, the culture reading systemwill stop tracking time.

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of a timeline display screen having atimeline 900 representing a culture media protocol and related data at astage in the protocol in which the culture media protocol has beencompleted and 3 images have been captured. The timeline 900 includes aline 904. The line 904 provides a relative timescale in which theexpected length of time from the beginning of the culture media protocolto the end of the culture media protocol is proportionately correlatedto the physical length of the line 904, such that distances betweenpoints on the line are proportional to lengths of time between the timesrepresented by those points. The timeline 900 also shows one or moremarkers representing times at which a culture media image is expected tobe captured in accordance with the culture media protocol, including themarker 905. As demonstrated by marker 905, the markers representingtimes at which a culture media image is expected to be captured can be acircle or other shape positioned on the line 904. The timeline displayscreen also includes a culture media image field 914. The culture mediaimage field 914 can be configured to display a culture media imagecaptured during the culture media protocol. In some embodiments, theculture media image field 914 can be configured to display the mostrecent culture media image captured during the protocol. In the timelineof FIG. 9, a culture media image 922 is displayed in the culture mediaimage field 914. The timeline 900 also includes a field 902 which therelative time between the time at which the most recent image wascaptured and the current time is displayed. The field 902 indicates thatthe most recent image was captured 4 hours and 32 minutes ago.

The timeline 900 also includes a visual indication 908 on the line 904of the amount of time elapsed since the initiation of the protocol.Accordingly, the visual indication 908 also indicates the current timewithin the culture media protocol. As shown in FIG. 9, the visualindication 908 can be a change in color and/or width of the line 904from the start of the line 904 to the position on the timelineassociated with the current time. As shown in FIG. 9, the entireprotocol has been completed. The timeline 900 further includes a visualindicator 912 that indicates a number of images actually captured by animage device of the culture plate. As shown in FIG. 9, the indicator 912indicates that 3 images have been captured.

The timeline 900 also includes an image capture button 918, a mediatransport button 919, and a termination button 920. The image capturebutton 918 can be selected to cause the culture reading system toinstruct the imaging device to capture an image at the current time. Themedia transport button 919 can be configured to cause the removal of theculture media associated with the media protocol from the incubatorinstrument and the delivery to a particular location on the incubatorinstrument or destination at an associated workbench in embodimentshaving an automated track system. The termination button 920 can beselected to cause the culture media reading system to terminate theprotocol. When the protocol is terminated, the culture reading systemcan instruct the imaging device to stop capturing images. In someembodiments, when the protocol is terminated, the culture reading systemwill stop tracking time.

FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of a timeline display screen having atimeline 1000 representing a culture media protocol and related data ata stage in the culture media protocol after 3 culture media images havebeen captured and before the expected end time of the culture mediaprotocol. As shown in FIG. 10, the culture media protocol represented bythe timeline 1000 has been terminated. Termination of the protocol isindicated by an indicator 1009. The timeline 1000 includes a line 1004.The line 1004 provides a relative timescale in which the expected lengthof time from the beginning of the culture media protocol to the end ofthe culture media protocol is proportionately correlated to the physicallength of the line 1004, such that distances between points on the lineare proportional to lengths of time between the times represented bythose points. The timeline 1000 also shows one or more markersrepresenting times at which a culture media image is expected to becaptured in accordance with the culture media protocol, including themarker 1005. As demonstrated by marker 1005, the markers representingtimes at which a culture media image is expected to be captured can be acircle or other shape positioned on the line 1004. The timeline alsoincludes a culture media image field 1014. The culture media image field1014 can be configured to display a culture media image captured duringthe culture media protocol. In some embodiments, the culture media imagefield 1014 can be configured to display the most recent culture mediaimage captured during the protocol.

In the timeline of FIG. 10, a culture media image 1022 is displayed inthe culture media image field 1014. The timeline 1000 also includes afield 1002 which the relative time between the time at which the mostrecent image was captured and the current time is displayed. The field1002 indicates that the most recent image was captured 4 hours and 36minutes ago.

The timeline 1000 also includes a visual indication 1008 on the line1004 of the amount of time elapsed since the initiation of the protocol.Accordingly, the visual indication 1008 also indicates the current timewithin the culture media protocol. As shown in FIG. 10, the visualindication 1008 can be a change in color and/or width of the line 1004from the start of the line 1004 to the position on the timelineassociated with the current time. The timeline 1000 further includes avisual indicator 1012 that indicates a number of images actuallycaptured by an image device of the culture media. As shown in FIG. 10,the indicator 1012 indicates that 3 images have been captured.

The timeline 1000 also includes an image capture button 1018, a mediatransport button 1019, and a termination button 1020. The image capturebutton 1018 can be selected to cause the culture reading system toinstruct the imaging device to capture an image at the current time. Themedia transport button 1019 can be configured to cause the removal ofthe culture media associated with the media protocol from the incubatorinstrument and the delivery to a particular location on the incubatorinstrument or destination at an associated workbench in embodimentshaving an automated track system. The termination button 1020 can beselected to cause the culture reading system to terminate the protocol.When the protocol is terminated, the culture reading system can instructthe imaging device to stop capturing images. In some embodiments, whenthe protocol is terminated, the culture reading system will stoptracking time and the image capture button 1018 and a termination button1020 will become unavailable for selection by removing them from view,modifying the ability to select the buttons by disabling theirfunctionality or changing their appearance to indicate unavailability

FIGS. 11-13 show an example of a timeline display screen displaying atimeline 1100 and an image field 1114. The timeline 1100 includes a line1104. The line 1104 provides a relative timescale in which the expectedlength of time from the beginning of the culture media protocol to theend of the culture media protocol is proportionately correlated to thephysical length of the line 1104, such that distances between points onthe line are proportional to lengths of time between the timesrepresented by those points. The timeline 1100 includes a field 1103 inwhich the date and time at which the culture media protocol wasinitiated is displayed. The timeline 1100 also includes one or moremarkers representing times at which a culture media image is expected tobe captured in accordance with the culture media protocol, including themarkers 1132, 1134, and 1136. The markers 1132, 1134, and 1136 can be acircle or other shape positioned on the line 1104. The markers 1132,1134, and 1136 can also include a numerical indication of a length oftime from the beginning of the protocol at which an image is expected tobe taken. As shown in FIGS. 11-13, expected times for images to becaptured include 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. The timeline 1100also includes one or more markers indicating times at which culturemedia images were captured, including markers 1138, 1140 and 1142. Eachmarkers representing a time at which a culture media image was capturedcan be positioned beneath the timeline in alignment with a position onthe timeline representative of the time at which the culture media imagewas captured. As shown in FIGS. 11-13 the images corresponding tomarkers 1138, 1140, and 1142 were captured at the expected timesrepresented by markers 1132, 1134, and 1136.

As demonstrated in FIGS. 11-13, one of the markers 1138, 1140, and 1142on the timeline 1100 can be selected in order to display the associatedculture media image in the image field 1114. The timeline 1100 can alsoprovide a visual indication on the timeline of which culture media imageis currently being displayed, for example, by modifying the appearanceof the marker 1138, 1140, or 1142 associated with the culture mediaimage. FIG. 11 shows the timeline display screen when the marker 1138has been selected in order to display an image 1144 associated withmarker 1138. A culture media image can be selected via an input operatedby a user. In some embodiments, a cursor 1150 on the display screen canbe manipulated to select the marker associated with the culture mediaimage. As shown in FIG. 11, the marker 1138 has a different appearancethan that of the markers 1140 and 1142. A marker can change inappearance in response to selection in order to indicate which image iscurrently being displayed on the timeline display screen. For example,the color of the marker 1138 is different than that of markers 1140 and1142. A circular border is also shown around the marker 1138 to indicatethat the culture media image associated with marker 1138 is beingdisplayed. FIG. 12 shows the timeline display screen when the marker1140 has been selected in order to display an image 1146 associated withmarker 1140. FIG. 13 shows the timeline display screen when the marker1142 has been selected in order to display an image 1148 associated withmarker 1142.

The timeline 1100 also includes a field 1101 that can display the dateand time at which a displayed image was captured. The timeline 1100 alsoincludes a field 1102 that indicates the relative time between the timeat which a displayed image was captured and a current time.

FIGS. 6-13 show various embodiments of timelines including markersrepresenting times at which a culture media image is expected to becaptured in accordance with the culture media protocol and markersindicating times at which culture media images were captured. Asdescribed with respect to FIG. 1, it is contemplated that similarmarkers can be employed for other events associated with a culture mediaprotocol that are expected to occur or that have occurred. Examples ofrepresentative events include removal of the culture media from anincubator or incubation system, placement of the culture media into theincubator or incubation system, and the collection or processing of datarelated to the culture media, such as, for example, the processing of animage of the culture media by a digital image analysis algorithm. Insome embodiments, a marker can be aligned with a position on thetimeline that correlates to an interim result provided by a dataprocessing algorithm, such as a digital image analysis algorithm. Insome embodiments, a marker can be aligned with a position on thetimeline that correlates to a final result provided by a data processingalgorithm, such as a digital image analysis algorithm. Each marker canbe associated with data related to the culture media protocol eventwhich the marker represents. In some embodiments, a display field may beconfigured to display data associated with a most recent event of theculture media protocol or to display data associated with a selectedmarker on the timeline.

In some embodiments, a timeline can include markers associated with aplurality of different types of culture media protocol events, such as,for example, the start of the culture media protocol, the end of aculture media protocol, the capturing of an image of the culture media,removal of the culture media from an incubator or incubation system,placement of the culture media into the incubator or incubation system,and the collection or processing of data related to the culture media,such as, for example, the processing of an image of the culture media bya digital image analysis algorithm. In some embodiments, a timeline asdescribed herein can be utilized for a culture media protocol in whichthe culture media is not digitally imaged. For example, a timeline inaccordance with the embodiments described herein can be utilized for ablood culture bottle protocol or broth incubation protocol in whichdigital imaging may not always be performed. As described herein, thetimeline can include one or more markers associated with one or morenon-imaging events of the culture media protocol.

Implementations disclosed herein provide systems, methods and apparatusfor timeline control. One skilled in the art will recognize that theseembodiments may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or anycombination thereof.

The functions described herein may be stored as one or more instructionson a processor-readable or computer-readable medium. The term“computer-readable medium” refers to any available medium that can beaccessed by a computer or processor. By way of example, and notlimitation, such a medium may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory,CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to storedesired program code in the form of instructions or data structures andthat can be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein,includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray® disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Itshould be noted that a computer-readable medium may be tangible andnon-transitory. The term “computer-program product” refers to acomputing device or processor in combination with code or instructions(e.g., a “program”) that may be executed, processed or computed by thecomputing device or processor. As used herein, the term “code” may referto software, instructions, code or data that is/are executable by acomputing device or processor.

Software or instructions may also be transmitted over a transmissionmedium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website,server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologiessuch as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiberoptic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such asinfrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition oftransmission medium.

The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions forachieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may beinterchanged with one another without departing from the scope of theclaims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions isrequired for proper operation of the method that is being described, theorder and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modifiedwithout departing from the scope of the claims.

It should be noted that the terms “couple,” “coupling,” “coupled” orother variations of the word couple as used herein may indicate eitheran indirect connection or a direct connection. For example, if a firstcomponent is “coupled” to a second component, the first component may beeither indirectly connected to the second component or directlyconnected to the second component. As used herein, the term “plurality”denotes two or more. For example, a plurality of components indicatestwo or more components.

The term “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions and,therefore, “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing,deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, adatabase or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also,“determining” can include receiving (e.g., receiving information),accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also,“determining” can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishingand the like.

The phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on,” unless expresslyspecified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “based on” describesboth “based only on” and “based at least on.”

In the foregoing description, specific details are given to provide athorough understanding of the examples. However, it will be understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art that the examples may be practicedwithout these specific details. For example, electricalcomponents/devices may be shown in block diagrams in order not toobscure the examples in unnecessary detail. In other instances, suchcomponents, other structures and techniques may be shown in detail tofurther explain the examples.

Headings are included herein for reference and to aid in locatingvarious sections. These headings are not intended to limit the scope ofthe concepts described with respect thereto. Such concepts may haveapplicability throughout the entire specification.

It is also noted that the examples may be described as a process, whichis depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a finite state diagram, astructure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describethe operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can beperformed in parallel, or concurrently, and the process can be repeated.In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A processis terminated when its operations are completed. A process maycorrespond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, asubprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a software function, itstermination corresponds to a return of the function to the callingfunction or the main function.

The previous description of the disclosed implementations is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentinvention. Various modifications to these implementations will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principlesdefined herein may be applied to other implementations without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present inventionis not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein but isto be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing a timeline, the systemcomprising: a culture media handling system comprising: an incubatorhousing at least one culture media having a plurality of microorganisms;and an imaging device configured to capture one or more culture mediaimages of the at least one culture media; and a culture reading systemcomprising: a user interface configured to display the timeline and afield for display of one or more of the culture media images receivedfrom the culture media handling system; and a processor configured to:receive the one or more culture media images from the culture mediahandling system; associate each of the one or more culture media imageswith a position on the timeline that correlates to a time at which theculture media image was captured by the imaging device of the culturemedia handling system; and generate and display a selectable marker foreach culture media image associated with the timeline, the selectablemarker being aligned with the position on the timeline that correlatesto the time at which the culture media image was captured by the imagingdevice of the culture media handling system.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the processor is further configured to: receive a selection ofone of the selectable markers; and display the culture media imageassociated with the selected marker.
 3. The system of claim 1, whereinthe timeline comprises one or more intended times for capturing aculture media image, wherein the computer system is configured totransmit instructions to the imaging device to capture a culture mediaimage at each of the intended times for capturing a culture media image.4. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more culture media imagescomprise a plurality of culture media images, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: detect one or more reference points on theculture media based on the plurality of culture media images; and orienteach culture media image such that the one or more reference points arein the same position in each culture media image.
 5. The system of claim1, wherein the timeline provides a relative timescale for a culturemedia protocol in which an expected duration of time for the culturemedia protocol is correlated to a length of the timeline.
 6. The systemof claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to modify the timelinein response to an unexpected event.
 7. The system of claim 1, whereinthe timeline comprises one or more expected times for a culture mediaimage to be captured by the imaging device, wherein the processor isconfigured to generate a marker on the timeline for each expected timefor a culture media image to be captured by the imaging device.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to update thetimeline in response to the occurrence of an event in real time or nearreal time.
 9. A method for providing a timeline, the method comprising:capturing one or more culture media images of at least one culture mediahoused within an incubator of a culture media handling system of atimeline control system using an imaging device of the culture mediahandling system; receiving the one or more culture media images from theculture media handling system by a culture reading system; associatingeach of the one or more culture media images with a position on thetimeline that correlates to a time at which the culture media image wascaptured by the imaging device of the culture media handling system;generating a selectable marker for each culture media image associatedwith the timeline, the selectable marker being aligned with the positionon the timeline that correlates to the time at which the culture mediaimage was captured; and displaying the timeline on a user interface ofthe culture reading system.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: receiving a selection of one of the selectable markers; anddisplaying the culture media image associated with the selected marker.11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: generating one or moreintended times on the timeline for capturing a culture media image bythe culture reading system; and transmitting instructions to the imagingdevice to capture a culture media image at each of the intended timesfor capturing a culture media image.
 12. The method of claim 9, whereinthe one or more culture media images comprise a plurality of culturemedia images, the method further comprising: detecting by the culturereading system one or more reference points on the culture media basedon the plurality of culture media images; and orienting each culturemedia image by the culture reading system such that the one or morereference points are in the same position in each culture media image.13. The method of claim 9, wherein the timeline provides a relativetimescale for a culture media protocol in which an expected duration oftime for the culture media protocol is correlated to a length of thetimeline.
 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising modifying thetimeline in response to an unexpected event.
 15. The method of claim 9,wherein the timeline comprises one or more expected times for a culturemedia image to be captured by the imaging device, wherein the methodfurther comprises generating a marker on the timeline for each expectedtime for a culture media image to be captured by the imaging device. 16.The method of claim 9, further comprising updating the timeline inresponse to the occurrence of an event in real time or near real time.17. A system for providing a timeline, the system comprising: a userinterface configured to display the timeline and a video of a pluralityof culture media images; and a processor configured to: receive aculture media protocol for a culture media; generate the timeline on theuser interface based on the culture media protocol; receive theplurality of culture media images related to the culture media protocol;and generate a video of the plurality of culture media images based ontime data associated with each culture media image of the plurality ofculture media images.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the pluralityof culture media images are presented in chronological order based onthe times at which the plurality of culture media images were captured.19. The system of claim 17, wherein after generating the video of theplurality of culture media images, the processor is configured to:receive an additional culture media image; and generate a video of theplurality of culture media images and the additional culture media imagebased on time data associated with each culture media image of theplurality of culture media images and the additional culture mediaimage.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein after generating the video ofthe plurality of culture media images, the processor is configured to:receive an additional culture media image; and add the additionalculture media image in the video of the plurality of culture mediaimages based on time data associated with the additional culture mediaimage.